From Ölgij in western Mongolia, travel by all-terrain vehicle through the rocky desert landscape towards the white peaks of the Altai mountains and along bumpy tracks into the Baga Oigor Valley. These wide valleys, carved out by glaciers, are home to flocks of the grazing yaks and sheep of the Mongolian nomads. It’s another half day travel before reaching the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. White River Valley is where the trek begins. Setting out with camels to carry supplies, crossing swamps and rivers, the hike takes you to Tavan Bogd base camp at 2,900 meters. Your efforts are justly rewarded with seeing Mongolia’s highest peak, Mount Khuiten, (4,371 m). Those who want to, the summit of Malchin Peak (4,051 m) can be climbed in a day via an easy route that crosses the moraine of the Potanin glacier.

The trek then carries on along the Potantin glacial moraine and across the glacier to high camp on the east side of Mount Khuiten, right in the midst of the high-mountain peaks. On the next day, start before dawn and cross the glacier to reach the ridgeline and follow it to the highest point on Mount Khuiten. The small summit plateau marks the boundary between China and Mongolia, with views across China’s snowy peaks, Russia’s wide-open valleys and mountain chains, and Mongolia, the land of steppes and high-altitude plateaus. Another option is to climb Nairamdal Peak, which means Friendship Peak (4,082 m) where Mongolia, Russia and China meet, and which can be done in a day from high camp.

Back at base camp, switch to horseback for a few days and ride through the varied scenery to Khoton mountain lake at 2,800 m, surrounded by glaciers and snow-covered mountains. From here, it’s by car following the biggest river in Western Mongolia, the Chowd Gol, and back to Ölgij. This trek is not technically challenging and is easily achievable with a good level of fitness. The summitting days can be classified as easy-to-moderate mountaineering through glaciated terrain and require previous experience of walking with crampons and using ice axes across snow slopes and glaciers at an incline of up to 40 degrees and sometimes steeper. 

During the summer months, temperatures can fluctuate between +30°C during the day and close to freezing during the night, especially at Mount Khuiten high camp. Essential items include sturdy, trekking boots with good grip, a sleeping bag (with a comfort range down to -10°C), crampon-compatible mountain boots and full glacier gear, plus trekking poles. For the pony trekking section, riding pants and riding boots are recommended.